Salem just got a little gayer. The long-running daytime soap opera is adding it’s first gay character and storyline. It’s about time, “Days of Our Lives” got with the times. Other soaps have incorporated LGBT-themed stories long ago. “All My Children” featured the first lesbian character (2000), Bianca Montgomery, and the first gay marriage (2009) when Bianca wed her lover, Reese Williams. The now-canceled “As The World Turns” was the first to feature an openly gay male character (1988) and feature a kiss between two male gay characters (2007). In 1992, “One Life To Live” featured the first gay teenager on daytime, played by Ryan Phillippe.

With “90210” saying “no homo” and writing off gay character Teddy Montgomery (played by Trevor Donovan), Freddie Smith was also out of a job. With no Teddy, there was no need for his boyfriend Marco to be hanging out with the West Bev High gang. Apparently, Freddie Smith was so comfortable playing a gay character, he’s doing it again, but this time for “Days of Our Lives”. Damn, that Trevor Donovan must’ve been an awesome kisser. LOL.

Smith will make his DOOL debut on June 23. According to EW.com, he’ll be playing Scotty, a good-natured young man. Scotty returns to Salem to join his family after doing a little traveling. No word on who Scotty will be playing tonsil hockey with. Will they bring in a boyfriend for Scotty, or “ou”t an existing male character on the show. I hope it’s the latter. I haven’t watched Days in years, but will tune in to see a little man-on-man action. Well, at least YouTube it. Here’s what Smith told EW.com about his upcoming role.

”He is the center of attention kind of guy but in a good way. He’s very confident and mature, he’s traveled the world and is very open-minded. I’m very excited to portray him.”

“I think it will be interesting to see how people respond to it,” Smith said. “I truly care about the whole thing. There’s been a lot of controversy about this and for me to be able to a part of it, to be able to change people and make a difference … I’m really excited to play a character with that much pull.”